Expo West Recap

Last week I summed up my favorite baby products from Expo West. While it was so much fun finding what brands I could trust for my daughter, it’s nice to see what I can use and recommend to and for you too.

Walking through that show, you better bring your appetite!! I never have to get lunch while I’m there, and I end up leaving completely stuffed with all the samples. A bite here, a bite there, a slice of gluten free pizza at Amy’s…or two or three.

Expo West definitely has it’s fair share of snack foods. Energy bars, chips, popcorn, crackers, and protein powders, it can be overwhelming how much there is to choose from and to find other quality products including house, supplements, and skincare. I look for organic when possible, and simple, natural ingredients that can be recognized.

Tummy Drops – this product was one I had never heard of. The girl was so nice when I stopped by her booth and stocked me up with the variety of flavors they have to offer. I rarely get tummy aches, but I thought these could come in handy on the rare occasion it happens. And, naturally, after the show and eating a bite of everything under the sun, I found out quickly how well these work! Love!

Amazing Grass Green Superfood, Chocolate flavor – It’s nice knowing you’re getting an extra boost in your smoothie, even when you add leafy greens to it. This blend (of any flavor offered) packs a ton of nutritional punch. Of course, the chocoholic that I am, I prefer the chocolate flavor. Their products are certified USDA organic and non GMO. My favorite simple smoothie is one cup unsweetened almond milk, one cup spinach or other leafy green, one to two tablespoons nut or seed butter, a frozen banana, and a scoop of amazing grass green superfood. Optional add-in I often do: a teaspoon of matcha powder. Boom.

EO Products – My favorite product of theirs (it’s really hard to choose) is the Lavender + Aloe lotion. Especially on warmer days. I did find that when it’s cold I needed a little something thicker, but you can’t beat the subtle scent achieved by using 100% essential oil (that’s what the EO stands for!). The body wash is amazing too. It’s super important to not just take into consideration what you put in your body but what you choose to put on it too. Our skin is our largest organ and absolutely absorbs whatever it can soak up! That includes all your skincare, hair care, and sunscreens. If you’re going the extra mile to clean up your diet, have a look in your bathroom too! Between Target and Whole Foods, affordable organic and/or clean beauty products can be found. That’s actually one of the things I like most about EO, they make great products without breaking the bank. If you want a more in depth explanation check out my post on parabens.

Health Warrior Chia Bars – These guys have made an appearance on my blog a few times now (like what I snack on) but for a good reason! I love the taste of them, they fill me up just enough if I can’t make it to the next meal without something, and they’re mostly chia seeds which, if you look at so many of the bars on the market they’re mostly sugar. All the chia means lots of natural fiber (filling!) and omega-3’s. They only have 100 calories a bar (I don’t focus on calories much, but I do look at them when choosing a snack bar since they can be all over the map, especially if the sugar content is high) which is perfect for a snack so it doesn’t fill you up too much.

Seventh Generation – Just like the EO products, Seventh Generation is another line I have a lot of! Their disinfecting wipes are super handy, their dish soap I love, and their laundry detergent smells so good. The “fragrance” is just pure essential oils. The entire line is all safe, sustainable and cruelty free. Even before Evie was around (hard to imagine) I was not a fan of potent, chemical ridden products to clean and disinfect my living space. Then baby comes along it become even more important. And yes, I have caught my daughter on multiple occasions licking the floor. Soooo…yeah.

Amy’s Kitchen – I have been a fan of Amy’s Kitchen since I found out I was gluten intolerant in 2002. They were one of the very few brands (well, at all because back then there were few) that tasted good. I first got hooked on their chili and then found them to be a reliable source for a quick lunch or dinner if I was in a rush (or didn’t feel like cooking). There aren’t many complete frozen meals that are trustworthy like they are to have good quality ingredients, gluten free options, not skimp on taste. And fortunately (and unfortunately) they had plenty of their amazing pizza samples at their booth. I will keep how much I consumed on the DL.

Derma e – I picked up their Firming DMAE Moisturizer at Whole Foods a couple years ago and loved it. I’ve been a fan of the line ever since so I made sure to stop by their booth to see what was new. I liked them even more by the time I left because they were so nice and helpful. I love the ingredients they use which are clearly listed on their website. Lots of vitamins, hydrating natural oils, and the acids we need to target specific skin conditions. Since I’m in my mid-30’s this is something I think about!!! It’s affordable too which is also a consideration! I got this beautiful box of derma e swag which I also get to gift to one lucky person on Instagram!

Dr. Praeger’s – Healthy convenience. They have great options for pairings to a meal or as a snack. I love them because I can also shop them into smaller pieces and give them to Evie. I crack an egg on top of the veggie patties or just warm one up as a snack. It makes me lazy because I’d normally just make my own…but why?! Just kidding, I still do, but not as often anymore! Loaded with simple, nutritious ingredients, it’s an easy decision.

Flora – I trust this brand for the quality of their supplements. There is a wide range of products they offer, one of the very best being Floradix with or without iron. In the health store I used to work in the stuff just flew off the shelves. People would tell me all the time how great it was, especially women who had low iron. I also like their probiotics and Udo’s Choice line. They even have whole body cleanses, just a liquid herbal extract to add to what you’re already doing.

Whole Me – Looks delicious, right?! I made this yummy chocolate yogurt bowl (pictured below) using the Cinnamon Banana Chip flavor (and added more chocolate chips, naturally). I make my own granola, but this is different. Whole Me are yummy squares of goodness, and the Almond Coconut variety tastes just like a biscotti. Sign me up. If you want to make same the bowl I did, just use a cup of plain yogurt and add 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup and 1 tablespoon of raw cacao. Then load the Whole Me clusters on top. Their Lemon Berry Chia flavor is tasty too. They’re a nice treat or snack on the run.

Hi! I'm Leah, thanks for stopping by! The field of health and wellness is my passion, so I have created a space to answer your health questions all while filling you in on my own personal journey along the way. I am a daughter, wife, sister, new mom, dog mommy, spinner, yogi, traveler, and chocolate lover. I am a certified Holistic Health Coach and if you have a question you want a real-girl answer to, just ask!
"Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live." - Jim Rohn